The Story of Avirex

Avirex is a brand of clothing that was created by aviation enthusiast Jeff Clyman in 1975, who was inspired to create flight jackets similar to those worn by World War II pilots after receiving numerous queries about his father's authentic flight jacket.

Usage of the Avirex brand name and trademark has been licensed to individual territories, each responsible for the management, development and distribution of the brand in their respective region. These territories are the Americas, Japan and Europe. As of 2007, the brand is managed very differently in each of these territories. Each creates a clothing collection of which no products are shared between any other territory. The only similarities the products share are the ability to use the original artwork and logos created by Jeff Clyman, traditionally related to the brand. As no exactly similar Avirex products are sold in more than one territory's collection, which region the specific product originiated from can be quickly identified. Products of different territories cannot be imported and sold in others, and all Avirex must be purchased from the regional license holder.

In the Americas, the Avirex brand license has been acquired by Marc Ecko Enterprises (MEE), Ecko, which designs, manufactures and distributes sportswear and nonleather outerwear label now focuses on hip hop-inspired apparel popular with urban youth. Military apparel formerly sold under the Avirex brand will now be sold under The Cockpit® brand. The Cockpit® is owned and operated by the former owners of Avirex, but is a separate line that is not associated with the Avirex brand owned by MEE.